The Miami Hurricanes will be without returning quarterback Stephen Morris when spring practice commences on March 3. Morris underwent back surgery on Monday, and will recuperate while Al Golden's Canes tune up before summer vacation.

 

Morris was slated to be atop Miami's depth chart when spring ball opened, but instead Ryan Williams will run the Canes' offense, for now at least.

 

While the former Memphis transfer will have a chance to show what he can do, he will likely still have to overtake Morris in fall practice to win the starting job.

 

Morris has thrown for 1,523 yards in two years at Miami, with five starts under his belt. His statistical line is shaky at best, with a 57% completion rate and more interceptions (11) than touchdowns (7).

 

But Golden told the Miami Herald Morris had the edge over Williams at this point in the offseason. Morris will be a junior next season, while Williams will be a sophomore. During his freshman season at Memphis Williams played in all 12 games (10 starts), completing 57% of his passes for 2,075 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

 

Morris was briefly a sensation for the Canes in 2010, when he started in place of an injured Jacory Harris to lead the Canes to a dramatic comeback win over Maryland in his first start.

 

It's been mostly downhill since then, however, as Morris has suffered from many of the same problems that plagued Harris during his time at Miami, namely poor decisions that led to interceptions. 

 

UM's spring practice starts Saturday, and concludes with the spring game on April 14.